10-02-2004, 02:58 AM
I miss Howard Dean.
I mean, here's a fellow that says what he means and means what he says, doesn't sit on his war record, doesn't meander through a codicled response to deftly answer a pointed question with a blanket response... and could go toe-to-toe with Bush on the basis of "friendly" and "straightforward".
The bugger could belt out a bellow, too. I found that amusingly refreshing, but apparently actual, real passion scares the hell out of the soccer-mom demographic. Mr. Smith isn't allowed into Washington in this day and age... we want our representatives coy and relaxed and non-threatening, please. Alas and alack... for the loss of passion in our candidates also seems to drain out any actual "leadership" that they may invest in the nation.
But, the Democrats, in their wisdom and over-riding hatred of Bush and desire to pick their "best horse" to run the race, overlooked picking the man that could actually stand up for the principles that would provide a difference... a juxtaposition against the President's record and promises. A more "true" Left-versus-Right choice... even though they may be a bit more centrist than the Lefties or Righties would wish. Perhaps he wasn't the "sure bet" against the President... but he was a good one.
20/20 hindsight, I suppose. But I remember a year ago when the Democratic Primaries were in swing, and I was actually interested in watching a candidate speak his mind. Today, that candidate is trying to stop Kerry from drowning in morass that is his own campaign.
To me, Howard Dean and John McCain are of the same cut: Men that speak their beliefs and speak truth to power. Their methods cost them the demographics necessary to win elections... but their methods win them respect as well. Men that should be leading a nation, but never will?
Perhaps Colin Powell still belongs in that cut as well. I'm no longer sure.
I mean, here's a fellow that says what he means and means what he says, doesn't sit on his war record, doesn't meander through a codicled response to deftly answer a pointed question with a blanket response... and could go toe-to-toe with Bush on the basis of "friendly" and "straightforward".
The bugger could belt out a bellow, too. I found that amusingly refreshing, but apparently actual, real passion scares the hell out of the soccer-mom demographic. Mr. Smith isn't allowed into Washington in this day and age... we want our representatives coy and relaxed and non-threatening, please. Alas and alack... for the loss of passion in our candidates also seems to drain out any actual "leadership" that they may invest in the nation.
But, the Democrats, in their wisdom and over-riding hatred of Bush and desire to pick their "best horse" to run the race, overlooked picking the man that could actually stand up for the principles that would provide a difference... a juxtaposition against the President's record and promises. A more "true" Left-versus-Right choice... even though they may be a bit more centrist than the Lefties or Righties would wish. Perhaps he wasn't the "sure bet" against the President... but he was a good one.
20/20 hindsight, I suppose. But I remember a year ago when the Democratic Primaries were in swing, and I was actually interested in watching a candidate speak his mind. Today, that candidate is trying to stop Kerry from drowning in morass that is his own campaign.
To me, Howard Dean and John McCain are of the same cut: Men that speak their beliefs and speak truth to power. Their methods cost them the demographics necessary to win elections... but their methods win them respect as well. Men that should be leading a nation, but never will?
Perhaps Colin Powell still belongs in that cut as well. I'm no longer sure.
Garnered Wisdom --
If it has more than four legs, kill it immediately.
Never hesitate to put another bullet into the skull of the movie's main villain; it'll save time on the denouement.
Eight hours per day of children's TV programming can reduce a grown man to tears -- PM me for details.
If it has more than four legs, kill it immediately.
Never hesitate to put another bullet into the skull of the movie's main villain; it'll save time on the denouement.
Eight hours per day of children's TV programming can reduce a grown man to tears -- PM me for details.